Microsoft, at last, offers the Windows Update Catalog through a secure HTTPS connection.
- Reference: What is HTTPS
Microsoft provides a catalog of Windows updates via HTTPS connection
The website also notes that the current update files are delivered with the following address:
'https://catalog.s.download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/software/updt/',
In contrast to the previous:
'http://download.windowsupdate.com/d/msdownload/update/software/updt/'
This recent change by the software giant is deemed 'accurate and timely' as modern web browsers will block downloads or cause issues for users from insecure connections.
- Explore more: How to update Windows 11
Though it's unclear what prompted Microsoft to make this change after several years, according to Dr.Windows, speculation suggests that the software giant might not have implemented this sooner due to concerns related to support on older systems.
This isn't the first time Microsoft Update Catalog has undergone significant changes. Back in October 2016, when the Redmond giant decided to remove the ActiveX requirement, allowing the Update Catalog website to run on web browsers other than Internet Explorer.
